Free Library of Philadelphia

[GeckoFriend]

I've been unable to login to FLP for two days. Error message is "The library authentication server is overwhelmed due to high volume. Requests will be denied until it recovers".

I've tried clearing history and cache. Any suggestions?

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by GeckoFriend

I've been unable to login to FLP for two days. Error message is "The library authentication server is overwhelmed due to high volume. Requests will be denied until it recovers".

I've tried clearing history and cache. Any suggestions?

I just logged in after getting the same error.

[GeckoFriend]

Thanks Jon. I also am able to log in now.

[Catlady]

I'm noticing your locations--I thought FLP had stopped offering out-of-state library cards.

I used to have their card but stopped renewing it several years ago. For some reason, though, in the past few months I have been getting notices of Overdrive books available to borrow; they generally seem to be books that are several years old, and I believe they are probably books I recommended that FLP has now acquired. Whatever, it's annoying since I have no account and no way to reject the books they're holding for me.

[issybird]

Originally Posted by Catlady

I'm noticing your locations--I thought FLP had stopped offering out-of-state library cards.

They have. However, until 2013, FLP gave free cards to vets, members of the military and seniors, and those who obtained cards on the basis of one of those categories were grandfathered. My guess is they didn’t want to take cards away from the military and figured that they’d lose the senior and vet cards through attrition.

They were losing money even at $50, by my calculations, and even more so obviously on the free cards. I hope those who’ve been lucky enough to be grandfathered are entitled to the privilege. I think there’s a lot of abuse of library cards, frankly.

[John F]

Originally Posted by Catlady

I'm noticing your locations--I thought FLP had stopped offering out-of-state library cards.

I used to have their card but stopped renewing it several years ago. For some reason, though, in the past few months I have been getting notices of Overdrive books available to borrow; they generally seem to be books that are several years old, and I believe they are probably books I recommended that FLP has now acquired. Whatever, it's annoying since I have no account and no way to reject the books they're holding for me.

I'm seeing this also. My card expired in September, and I get the occasional email saying an ebook is ready for checkout. The interesting thing is that I know I did recommend the ebooks at one point, but had since removed them from my recommended list.

[Catlady]

Originally Posted by John F

I'm seeing this also. My card expired in September, and I get the occasional email saying an ebook is ready for checkout. The interesting thing is that I know I did recommend the ebooks at one point, but had since removed them from my recommended list.

I'm assuming it has to do with Overdrive's new-ish system of letting you postpone borrowing when a hold comes through. Which means it's delaying getting the book to the next person, since the book sits there waiting for me for three days, and I can't reject it without an active account.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by issybird

They have. However, until 2013, FLP gave free cards to vets, members of the military and seniors, and those who obtained cards on the basis of one of those categories were grandfathered. My guess is they didn’t want to take cards away from the military and figured that they’d lose the senior and vet cards through attrition.

They were losing money even at $50, by my calculations, and even more so obviously on the free cards. I hope those who’ve been lucky enough to be grandfathered are entitled to the privilege. I think there’s a lot of abuse of library cards, frankly.

When my card expired in 2019, I called the library and managed to get my card renewed. I'll try the same thing again when it expires. I won't get my hopes up.

[issybird]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

When my card expired in 2019, I called the library and managed to get my card renewed. I'll try the same thing again when it expires. I won't get my hopes up.

That’s nice to hear. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you.

[GeckoFriend]

Originally Posted by issybird

They have. However, until 2013, FLP gave free cards to vets, members of the military and seniors, and those who obtained cards on the basis of one of those categories were grandfathered. My guess is they didn’t want to take cards away from the military and figured that they’d lose the senior and vet cards through attrition.

They were losing money even at $50, by my calculations, and even more so obviously on the free cards. I hope those who’ve been lucky enough to be grandfathered are entitled to the privilege. I think there’s a lot of abuse of library cards, frankly.

Good analysis. My spouse is an 87 year old vet still eligible to use his FLP card.

[JSWolf]

I did call FLP and they did renew my library card.

[haertig]

Originally Posted by issybird

I think there’s a lot of abuse of library cards, frankly.

How do you abuse a library card? Are you talking about obtaining one fraudulently (falsifying your address, or something like that?)

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by haertig

How do you abuse a library card? Are you talking about obtaining one fraudulently (falsifying your address, or something like that?)

The person on the phone asked for the address on file and I gave it. No way to fudge the address.

[Froide]

Originally Posted by issybird

They have. However, until 2013, FLP gave free cards to vets, members of the military and seniors, and those who obtained cards on the basis of one of those categories were grandfathered. My guess is they didn’t want to take cards away from the military and figured that they’d lose the senior and vet cards through attrition.

They were losing money even at $50, by my calculations, and even more so obviously on the free cards. I hope those who’ve been lucky enough to be grandfathered are entitled to the privilege. I think there’s a lot of abuse of library cards, frankly.

My grandfathered card is still active.

Originally Posted by haertig

How do you abuse a library card? Are you talking about obtaining one fraudulently (falsifying your address, or something like that?)

I'm also curious about what kind of abuse issybird's referring to.

Every library I belong to requires a photo ID plus proof of whatever status one needs to prove eligibility (e.g., home/school/work address, or some other documentation proving employer/school affiliation or military/veteran status).

[issybird]

My sense is that there’s a fair amount of people using legitimate library cards that belong to other people. Say you live in the sticks but you’ve got a cousin in Seattle or Cleveland who’s given you access to his account. You’re not paying the taxes nor living in the area that would entitle you to the card, but you’re using the resources just the same. That’s one example; I can think of others.